For fashion lovers, this book is an addictive visual history of fashion's rite of passage, replete with breathtaking photography, portraits of designers and detailed insets. Many of these dresses seem truly timeless, from the 1898 Evening Dress by the House of Worth to Christian Dior's stunning "Junon" Dress, circa 1949. Culled from the Costume Institute's collection of dresses ranging in creation from the 17th century to 2009, this book is more a modern woman's style guide for glamorous dressing than a retrospective of hundreds of years of gowns.

For the foodie

Arcona's Holiday Cranberry Kit, $50 at arcona.com

I wouldn't dream of buying edibles for a true gourmand, but Arcona's Holiday Cranberry Kit is the ideal not-so-edible gift for your favorite foodie. The set includes a trio of cranberry-infused products to cleanse, exfoliate and tone skin including Triad Pads, Cranberry Gommage and Magic White Ice. Not just for sauce, these cranberries help improve skin texture and clarity. The easy-to-use Triad Pads serve up Cranberry Toner for skin in pre-moistened, soft cotton pads with the delicate scent of cranberry. Cranberry Gommage is a twice weekly exfoliant that unclogs pores while protecting skin with antioxidants from cranberry and raspberry enzymes. And the Magic White Ice is a moisturizing gel, rich with hyaluronic acid, which promises to hydrate and clarify skin while protecting it from free radicals. Eat up!

For the luxe lover

MOR Cosmetics' Soap Opera Set, $40 at morcosmetics.com

I love luxury. But luxury doesn't have to be an expensive car or an extravagant statement bag. As in the case of "Soap Opera" from Mor Cosmetics, a perfectly wrapped trio of triple-milled soaps dripping in black and gold and tied with a tasteful bow. This set of three hand-wrapped gifts boasts a fragrance so divine it beckons you the moment you open the box. And thanks to Australian designers Dianna Burmas and Deon St. Mor, the founders of MOR Cosmetics, luxury is affordable for most — $40 for a trio of blissfully fragrant, elegantly appointed soaps.

For the party girl

Custom Moet Imperial, $89.95 for 750ml bottle at mymoet.com

Head over to Moët & Chandon's brand spanking new site, mymoet.com, and create a couture bottle of Moët & Chandon Impérial with a custom message on the front of the bottle "written" in gold or silver Swarovski crystals. The site will serve up a preview of what your bottle will look like, as well as shipping the sparkling gift in time for Christmas. Prices begin at $89.95 plus shipping for the 750-ml bottle, including up to seven characters of customization, or $189.95 plus shipping for the 1.5-liter Magnum Bottle, with up to 16 characters as well as hearts, stars and exclamation points. Here's to sparkling holiday cheer!